George W. Bush in State of the Union address
On Budget & Economy:
FactCheck: Overall spending increased 42% under Bush
The President, speaking of being “good stewards of tax dollars,” focused on one small part of the budget and did not mention rapid growth in overallfederal spending that has taken place under his tenure. He said “we’ve reduced the growth of
non-security discretionary spending,” which is true. However, that category accounts for only about 16% of the whole federal budget, and it too has grown, though not as rapidly as other categories. Bush said bills were passed last year that would
actually cut this category, and that is correct. The decline is projected to be 0.5%. Overall federal spending is up 42% under Bush, and CBO projects further upward pressure on spending, including rising interest rates pushing up the cost
of servicing the swelling national debt, and rising medical costs and Bush’s new prescription drug benefit pushing up the cost of Medicare. (Neither item is counted in the “discretionary” category).
Source: FactCheck analysis of 2006 State of the Union speech
Feb 1, 2006
On Budget & Economy:
FactCheck: Deficit is increasing substantially this year
The President proposed cutting $14 billion worth of programs and said this would keep the US “on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009.”
Not mentioned is that the deficit is going up this year. It was $317 billion in the fiscal year that ended last Oct. 30, and
CBO projects that this year’s deficit will be at least $337 billion, and probably $360 billion by the time added money is approved for flood insurance and military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
CBO currently projects the deficit to decline to $241 billion in fiscal 2009, but that doesn’t include the effects of making Bush’s tax cuts permanent, something Bush urged strongly in his speech.
Source: FactCheck analysis of 2006 State of the Union speech
Feb 1, 2006
On Energy & Oil:
FactCheck: US grew more dependent on foreign oil under Bush
Breakthroughs in new technologies will help us reach a great goal: to replace more than 75 percent of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025. By applying the talent and technology of
America, this country can dramatically improve our environment, move beyond a petroleum-based economy, and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past.
Gulf countries. That is actually down somewhat from Clinton’s last year, when the Persian Gulf countries supplied 12.6%.Whether imports from the Middle East can ever be “a thing of the past” is open to question. It is true that the
US currently imports nearly as much oil from nearby Canada (2.1 million barrels per day last year) as it does from all Persian Gulf countries combined (2.3 million barrels per day), but that’s still a lot of oil to do without.
Source: FactCheck analysis of 2006 State of the Union speech
Feb 1, 2006
On Homeland Security:
FactCheck: Yes, there are more democracies now, but not Iraq
Our offense against terror involves more than military action. Ultimately, the only way to defeat the terrorists is to defeat their dark vision of hatred & fear by offering the hopeful alternative of political freedom & peaceful change. The US supports
democratic reform across the broader Middle East. Elections are vital, but they’re only the beginning. Raising up a democracy requires the rule of law, protection of minorities and strong, accountable institutions that last longer than a single vote.
It is true, just as the President said, that there were 122 democracies in the world in 2005, but Iraq and Afghanistan are not yet counted among them by Freedom House. Also, Freedom House rates neither Iraq nor Afghanistan as “free.”
It rates Iraq as “not free,” with scores on civil liberties and political freedom as low as those of Egypt. Afghanistan is rated somewhat better but still only “partly free.”
Source: FactCheck analysis of 2006 State of the Union speech
Feb 1, 2006
On Jobs:
FactCheck: Yes, US gained 4.6M jobs, but also lost 2.6M jobs
The President noted that the US has gained 4.6 million jobs in the past two-and-a-half years. That’s true. However, most of that gain merely made up for the 2.6 million jobs that were lost>/u> during Bush’s first two-and-a-half years.
However, when the President said “the American people have turned in an economic performance that is the envy of the world,” he was standing on firm ground. The US unemployment rate for December was 4.9 per cent.
That’s significantly lower than most other industrialized democracies. Unemployment in Germany stands at 9.3 per cent, France at 9.2 per cent, Canada at 6.5 per cent.
Only Japan’s rate of 4.6 per cent and the United Kingdom’s 4.8 per cent were better than the US, according to latest figures from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Source: FactCheck analysis of 2006 State of the Union speech
Feb 1, 2006
On Budget & Economy:
Protectionists want to escape competition
In a dynamic world economy, we are seeing new competitors like China and India. And this creates uncertainty, which makes it easier to feed people’s fears. So we’re seeing some old temptations return. Protectionists want to escape competition, pretending
that we can keep our high standard of living while walling off our economy. Others say that the government needs to take a larger role in directing the economy, centralizing more power in Washington and increasing taxes.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Budget & Economy:
Cut non-security discretionary spending every year
Every year of my presidency, we’ve reduced the growth of non-security discretionary spending, and last year you passed bills that cut this spending. This year, my budget will cut it again and reduce or eliminate more than 140 programs
that are performing poorly or not fulfilling essential priorities. By passing these reforms, we will save the American taxpayer another $14 billion next year and stay on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Budget & Economy:
Confront the larger challenge of entitlements spending
We must also confront the larger challenge of mandatory spending, or entitlements. This year, the first of about 78 million baby boomers turn 60, including two of my dad’s favorite people, me, and Bill Clinton. This milestone is more than a personal
crisis. It is a national challenge. The retirement of the baby boom generation will put unprecedented strains on the federal government. By 2030, spending for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid alone will be almost 60% of the entire federal budget.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Budget & Economy:
Spending cuts will reduce deficit to half by 2009
Keeping America competitive requires us to be good stewards of tax dollars. Every year of my presidency, we’ve reduced the growth of non-security discretionary spending. This year my budget will cut it again, and reduce or eliminate more than
140 programs that are performing poorly or not fulfilling essential priorities. By passing these reforms, we will save the American taxpayer another $14 billion next year, and stay on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009.
Source: 2006 State of the Union speech
Jan 31, 2006
On Civil Rights:
Federal courts have approved the authority to wiretap
It is said that prior to the attacks of 9/11 our government failed to connect the dots of the conspiracy. We now know that two of the hijackers in the US placed telephone calls to Al Qaeda operatives overseas. But we did not know about their plans until
it was too late. So to prevent another attack, based on authority given to me by the Constitution and by statute, I have authorized a terrorist-surveillance program to aggressively pursue the international communications of suspected Al Qaeda operatives
and affiliates to and from the US. Previous presidents have used the same constitutional authority I have, and federal courts have approved the use of that authority. Appropriate members of Congress have been kept informed. This terrorist-surveillance
program has helped prevent terrorist attacks. It remains essential to the security of America. If there are people inside our country who are talking with Al Qaeda, we want to know about it, because we will not sit back and wait to be hit again.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Civil Rights:
Reauthorize the Patriot Act
Our country must remain on the offensive against terrorism here at home. The enemy has not lost the desire or capability to attack us. Fortunately, this nation has superb professionals in law enforcement, intelligence, the military and homeland security.
These men and women are dedicating their lives to protecting us all, and they deserve our support and our thanks. They also deserve the same tools they already use to fight drug trafficking and organized crime. So I ask you to reauthorize the Patriot Act
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Education:
Propose additional resources for education
I announce the American Competitiveness Initiative. First, I propose to double the federal commitment to the most critical basic research programs in the physical sciences over the next 10 years. This funding will support the work of America’s most
creative minds as they explore promising areas such as nanotechnology and supercomputing and alternative energy sources. 2nd, I propose to make permanent the research and development tax credit to encourage bolder private-sector initiative in technology.
Third, we need to encourage children to take more math and science and to make sure those courses are rigorous enough to compete with other nations. We’ve made a good start in the early grades with the No Child Left Behind Act, which is raising standards
and lifting test scores across our country. I propose to train 70,000 high school teachers to lead Advanced Placement courses in math and science, bring 30,000 math and science professionals to teach and give early help to students who struggle with math
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Energy & Oil:
Replace 75% of oil imports from Mideast by 2025
Breakthroughs in new technologies will help us reach a great goal: to replace more than 75 percent of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025. By applying the talent and technology of
America, this country can dramatically improve our environment, move beyond a petroleum-based economy, and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past.
Source: 2006 State of the Union speech
Jan 31, 2006
On Energy & Oil:
End America’s addiction to oil
Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. And here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world.The best way to break this addiction is through technology. Since 2001,
we have spent nearly $10 billion to develop cleaner, cheaper and more reliable alternative energy sources. And we are on the threshold of incredible advances. So tonight I announce the Advanced Energy Initiative -- a 22% increase in clean-energy research
at the Department of Energy to push for breakthroughs in two vital areas. To change how we power our homes and offices, we will invest more in zero-emission coal-fired plants; revolutionary solar and wind technologies; and clean, safe nuclear energy.
We must also change how we power our automobiles. We will increase our research in better batteries for hybrid and electric cars and in pollution-free cars that run on hydrogen.
Source: 2006 State of the Union speech
Jan 31, 2006
On Foreign Policy:
Iranian regime must not be permitted to gain nuclear weapons
The Iranian government is defying the world with its nuclear ambitions, and the nations of the world must not permit the Iranian regime to gain nuclear weapons. America will continue to rally the world to confront these threats. Let me speak directly to
the citizens of Iran. America respects you, and we respect your country. We respect your right to choose your own future and win your own freedom. And our nation hopes one day to be the closest of friends with a free and democratic Iran.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Foreign Policy:
Fight disease and spread hope in hopeless lands
To overcome dangers in our world, we must also take the offensive by encouraging economic progress and fighting disease and spreading hope in hopeless lands. Isolationism would not only tie our hands in fighting enemies, it would keep us from helping
our friends in desperate need. We show compassion abroad, because Americans believe in the God-given dignity and worth of a villager with HIV/AIDS or an infant with malaria or a refugee fleeing genocide or a young girl sold into slavery.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Free Trade:
Open more markets to keep America competitive
Keeping America competitive requires us to open more markets for all that Americans make and grow. One out of every five factory jobs in
America is related to global trade, and we want people everywhere to buy American. With open markets and a level playing field, no one can outproduce or outcompete the American worker.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Government Reform:
Congress should pass the line-item veto
I am pleased that members of Congress are working on earmark reform, because the federal budget has too many special interest projects. And we can tackle this problem together if you pass the line-item veto.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Government Reform:
Pass medical liability reform this year
Because lawsuits are driving many good doctors out of practice, leaving women in nearly 1,500 American counties without a single ob-gyn, I ask the Congress to pass medical liability reform this year.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Health Care:
Support wider use of electronic records for health care
Keeping America competitive requires affordable health care. Our government has a responsibility to help provide health care for the poor & the elderly, and we are meeting that responsibility. For all Americans, we must confront the rising cost of care,
strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and help people afford the insurance coverage they need. We will make wider use of electronic records and other health information technology to help control costs and reduce dangerous medical errors. We will
strengthen health savings accounts by making sure individuals and small business employees can buy insurance with the same advantages that people working for big businesses now get.
We will do more to make this coverage portable, so workers can switch jobs without having to worry about losing their health insurance.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Homeland Security:
Support democratic reform across the broader Middle East
Our offense against terror involves more than military action. Ultimately, the only way to defeat the terrorists is to defeat their dark vision of hatred & fear by offering the hopeful alternative of political freedom & peaceful change. The US supports
democratic reform across the broader Middle East. Elections are vital, but they’re only the beginning. Raising up a democracy requires the rule of law, protection of minorities and strong, accountable institutions that last longer than a single vote.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Homeland Security:
Post-WWII world has grown from 24 lonely democracies to 122
In 1945, there were about two dozen lonely democracies in the world. Today, there are 122. And we’re writing a new chapter in the story of self-government -- with women lining up to vote in
Afghanistan, and millions of Iraqis marking their liberty with purple ink, and men and women from Lebanon to Egypt debating the rights of individuals and the necessity of freedom.
Source: 2006 State of the Union speech
Jan 31, 2006
On Immigration:
Our economy could not function without the immigrants
We hear claims that immigrants are somehow bad for the economy, even though this economy could not function without them. All these are forms of economic retreat, and they lead in the same direction, toward a stagnant and second-rate economy.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Immigration:
Support a humane guest-worker program that rejects amnesty
Keeping America competitive requires an immigration system that upholds our laws, reflects our values and serves the interests of our economy. Our nation needs orderly and secure borders. To meet this goal, we must have stronger immigration
enforcement and border protection. And we must have a rational, humane guest-worker program that rejects amnesty, allows temporary jobs for people who seek them legally and reduces smuggling and crime at the border.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Jobs:
US has gained 4.6M jobs since 2003
Our economy is healthy and vigorous, and growing faster than other major industrialized nations. In the last two-and-a-half years, America has created 4.6 million new jobs -- more than Japan and the European Union combined.
Even in the face of higher energy prices and natural disasters, the American people have turned in an economic performance that is the envy of the world.
Source: 2006 State of the Union speech
Jan 31, 2006
On Social Security:
Create a bipartisan commission to examine Social Security
Congress did not act last year on my proposal to save Social Security. Yet the rising cost of entitlements is a problem that is not going away. And every year we fail to act, the situation gets worse. So tonight, I ask you to join me in
creating a commission to examine the full impact of baby boom retirements on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. This commission should include members of Congress of both parties and offer bipartisan answers.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On Tax Reform:
Make the tax cuts permanent
The tax relief you passed has left $880 billion in the hands of the American people. And they have used it to help produce more than four years of uninterrupted economic growth. Yet the tax relief is set to expire in the next few years. If we do
nothing, American families will face a massive tax increase they do not expect and will not welcome. Because America needs more than a temporary expansion, we need more than temporary tax relief. I urge the Congress to make the tax cuts permanent.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On War & Peace:
We’re on the offensive in Iraq with a clear plan for victory
We’re on the offensive in Iraq, with a clear plan for victory. First, we’re helping Iraqis build an inclusive government, so that old resentments will be eased and the insurgency will be marginalized. Second, we’re continuing reconstruction efforts and
helping the Iraqi government to fight corruption and build a modern economy. And third, we’re striking terrorist targets while we train Iraqi forces that are increasingly capable of defeating the enemy. We are proud to be their allies in the cause of
freedom.Our work in Iraq is difficult, because our enemy is brutal. But that brutality has not stopped the dramatic progress of a new democracy. In less than three years, the nation has gone from dictatorship to liberation to
sovereignty to a constitution to national elections. At the same time, our coalition has been relentless in shutting off terrorist infiltration, clearing out insurgent strongholds and turning over territory to Iraqi security forces.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On War & Peace:
Terrorists aim to seize power in Iraq
No one can deny the success of freedom, but some men rage and fight against it. And one of the main sources of reaction and opposition is radical Islam, the perversion by a few of a noble faith into an ideology of terror and death.
Terrorists like bin Laden are serious about mass murder, and all of us must take their declared intentions seriously. They seek to impose a heartless system of totalitarian control throughout the Middle East and arm themselves with weapons of mass murder
Their aim is to seize power in Iraq and use it as a safe haven to launch attacks against America and the world. Lacking the military strength to challenge us directly, the terrorists have chosen the weapon of fear. When they murder children at a
school in Beslan or blow up commuters in London or behead a bound captive, the terrorists hope these horrors will break our will, allowing the violent to inherit the earth. But they have miscalculated. We love our freedom, and we will fight to keep it.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On War & Peace:
Terrorists would move the battlefield to our own shores
We cannot find security by abandoning our commitments and retreating within our borders. If we were to leave these vicious attackers alone, they would not leave us alone. They would simply move the battlefield to our own shores.
There is no peace in retreat. And there is no honor in retreat. By allowing radical Islam to work its will, by leaving an assaulted world to fend for itself, we would signal to all that we no longer believe in our own ideals or even in our own courage.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On War & Peace:
Sudden withdrawal from Iraq would abandon our Iraqi allies
Those of us in public office have a duty to speak with candor. A sudden withdrawal of our forces from Iraq would abandon our Iraqi allies to death and prison, would put men like bin Laden and Zarqawi in charge of a strategic country and show that a
pledge from America means little. Members of Congress, however we feel about the decisions and debates of the past, our nation has only one option. We must keep our word, defeat our enemies and stand behind the American military in this vital mission.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
On War & Peace:
Hamas must disarm and reject terrorism and work peace
The Palestinian people have voted in elections, and now the leaders of Hamas must recognize Israel, disarm, reject terrorism and work for lasting peace. Democracies in the
Middle East will not look like our own, because they will reflect the traditions of their own citizens. Yet liberty is the future of every nation in the Middle East, because liberty is the right and hope of all humanity.
Source: 2006 State of the Union Address
Jan 31, 2006
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2019